There isn’t much point to just looking at nature. One must experience it as well

That was the driving force behind the project to build a network of trails in the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park, which began in earnest early yesterday morning.

This collaborative initiative by the Trails Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (Traks), Friends of Kota Damansara Community Forest Park and Bukit Bintang Scouting District aims to provide the means for residents and visitors to easily enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of the forest reserve.

“It is all about sustainable use of the forest. People forget all too easily that the trails, which make it easier to navigate the terrain, didn't just happen overnight. They are man-made and need to be created in a manner which does not damage the forest or make it accessible only to hardcore jungle-trekkers,” explained Bukit Bintang Scouting District chairperson, Raja Teh Maimunah.

The trail network will begin with a 2km loop suitable for leisurely walks, with the first stage of the route taking shape with yesterday’s efforts but future plans foresee a total of 20km in trails of varying difficulties.

Joe Adnan and Pat Brunsdon of Traks were confident that the trail network would cement the forest’s place in the hearts and minds of its residents.

They estimate the initial 2km trail to be completed in four to six months, meeting once a month.

“The aim is to build a multiuse trail in an ecologically sensitive manner, which also means the scenic route. The end goal, of course, is to get more people to appreciate this forest, one of the few remaining green patches we have.

And the best way to do so is by making it easy for people to experience this slice of nature for themselves,” said Joe, who also explained that one of the goals of Traks is to impart knowledge and become the catalyst for changing the way people think about trails.

According to Brunsdon, who has had over 20 years of experience in building trails, more often than not, trails were built too steep with no regard for the natural contours of the terrain and for proper drainage of rain water.

“This place has a lot of potential. The idea is to get people familiar with the forest and to allow them to build a connection with the place.

There’s no use just looking at a forest, you’ve got to use it as well,” he said.

The Kota Damansara Community Forest, formerly known as Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve, was gazetted in 2006 and is reputedly the oldest forest reserve in the peninsula.

Despite its designation, it has come under the threat of further development — most recently in December last year, when the Draft Petaling Jaya Local Plan 2020 zoned more of Taman Botani for residential development with a small area for recreation.

“That’s another reason why we are building these trails and encouraging more people to come and enjoy this forest reserve. The more people use it, the bigger the defence we have against losing it to future development.

“The next step would be to look for corporate sponsorship to help with funding to maintain the trail network,” said Maimunah.

Interested sponsors and volunteers can contact Maimunah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.